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Guard's 9/11 Role Part of Online Exhibit

NGAUS Washington Report

(Sept. 11, 2013) The ground zero experiences of five New York National Guard soldiers are featured in a new online exhibit of the 9/11 Tribute Center. The Tribute Center released the exhibit, "The National Guard: Stories of September 11th told by those who were there," as part of the commemoration of the 12th anniversary of the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

This interactive web exhibit documents the National Guard's response to the 9/11 attacks. Viewers and educators across the country can experience individual stories from five National Guard Soldiers who responded on 9/11.

"This interactive web exhibit helps tell the story of our New York National Guard men and women who put boots on the ground here at the World Trade Center and would go on to serve overseas, proving their value in serving their state and their nation," said Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the adjutant general of the New York Guard. "I wish to thank the 9/11 Tribute Center for adding our unique stories and experiences to the educational programs that reach around our country and around the globe."

On 9/11, National Guard citizen-soldiers left their jobs, mobilized and responded within hours of the attacks. By nightfall, hundreds of local units responded without formal orders to assist first responders at ground zero while thousands of additional troops were in position throughout the city. National Guard elements from across New York state deployed to lower Manhattan to assist in the rescue, response and recovery. The security effort in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and emergency managers continues to the present day.

The 9/11 Tribute Center is dedicated to collecting the stories of 9/11, told by those who were there. The 9/11 Tribute staff collected these first-person accounts and created an interactive web exhibit that reflects the depth and scope of service of America's National Guard.